OCTOBER, 2010                                                                      

Baby elephant attacked by crocodile

A baby elephant was saved by its herd after being caught by the trunk by a crocodile.

The moment a crocodile pounces on the young elephant, hoping for a kill by locking its jaws around its trunk Photo: Johan Opperman/Solent News

The scene was captured by amateur photographer Johan Opperman while taking pictures of a family of African bush elephants grazing by a water hole and cooling down. Under the watchful eye of its family, the young elephant headed to the edge of the waterhole to grab a drink. However, a crocodile pounced on the youngster, hoping for a kill by locking its jaws around its trunk. Hearing the baby's distress calls, the herd of elephants scared off the reptile by trumpeting and stamping around.

After the attack the herd stayed with the youngster. Once the herd decided all was well, they crossed the dam together, just metres from where the crocodile had been hiding. Mr Opperman, from Pretoria, in South Africa, captured the incredible moment while on a day trip in the country's Kruger National Park.

The 38 year-old said: "The elephants were just grazing in the area, drinking water and cooling down - typical elephant behaviour. "The crocodile grabbed the baby elephant and made an attempted kill - it was hoping for a nice lunch with elephant on the menu. "From a couple of experts, I've heard that this is however very rare, and that crocodiles do not normally try to catch elephants.

"When the crocodile got hold of the baby elephant, the whole herd of elephants first went crazy, running around and trumpeting, and then proceeded to come to the rescue of the baby elephant.

"After it was saved, all the elephants of the herd stayed around the baby elephant for a while, making sure that it was okay.

"The ones coming to the rescue were most probably female, especially the matriarch female. "I did not realise exactly what I managed to catch on film until I got to my holiday resort that night and looked through the photos on my computer. "The screen on digital cameras is not the greatest and made it hard to see the details of what was captured. "When the 'action' started, I just started clicking away in typical amateur fashion, hoping to get at least something. "It was quite a surprise to later see on the larger computer monitor that I actually managed to get one photo of the crocodile pulling on the elephant.

"In the High and Far-Off Times the Elephant, O Best Beloved, had no trunk.

He had only a blackish, bulgy nose, as big as a boot, that he could wriggle about from side to side; but he could not pick up things with it. Click here......to learn how the elephant got his trunk.

Gob almighty

DON'T try giving this fella any lip — he's the owner of the world's biggest mouth. Wideboy ... Francisco Domingo Joaquim's record cakehole measures a whopping 17cm across

Now he has been crowned widest mouth on the planet by the Guinness World Records.

Researchers tracked down the 20-year-old to his home town in Angola after spotting his amazing can antics on YouTube. Since then videos of Francisco, known as Chiquinho and dubbed the Angolan Jaw of Awe, have become a web sensation, drawing thousands of hits. He hailed his record as "a dream come true". But then he IS a bit of a big-mouth... Read more......

Graduation Day in Dallas

The Platt College of Nursing, Dallas Campus, Texas, USA, held its Capping, Pinning and Graduation ceremony on 15th October 2010. Among the Graduands was Mr. & Mrs. Duncan K. Kamanu’s daughter, Miss Michelle M. Kamanu who graduated with a Licensed Vocational Nurse's degree. Miss Kamanu, together with all the other graduands, who had completed successfully the Licensed Vocational Nursing graduate course (LVN), received, first, their professional Nurse’s Cap, Badge and 'A Lamp'. The 'Lamp' is meant to be a sign of how they will be giving light to their patients at all times.

Miss Michelle M. Kamanu receiving a Nurse's professional Cap, Badge and 'Lamp' respectively

Miss Kamanu receiving her graduation papers from the Regional Director of Nurses, Platt College of Nursing, Gay Pearce

Miss Michelle M.Kamanu being congratulated by her father, Mr. Duncan K. Kamanu and his brother Newton S. Nguyo (picture on the left) and (picture on the right), Solomon K. Kamanu Snr, (2nd right) and his sister, Miriam Kamanu, right, are seen in a jovial mood posing for a picture with their sister Michelle. Solomon had travelled with his father to Dallas to grace his sister's graduation ceremony.

Present, also, during the graduation were Michelle M. Kamanu's aunt, Mrs. Margaret N.Nguyo (1st left) and cousins Wanjiku Nguyo (2nd left) and Ian Kamanu Nguyo (2nd right), all in the picture on the left, and friends, on the picture on the right.

Recognition as a Mission Church in USA

Trinity Anglican Church, Dallas, the only Church which preaches in ‘KIKUYU VERNACULAR' in the whole of Texas State of USA, was recognized as a Mission Church in Diocese of Dallas during The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas' 115th Annual Diocesan 2010 Convention at Southfork Ranch on Friday, October 15, 2010.

Bishop James M Stanton (in the picture on the right) receiving the Trinity Anglican Church Minister, Rev. Jacob N. Muiruri (in the picture on the left) and the congregation of the Convention giving a standing avotion.

The Church, which was launched as Trinity Anglican Church on March 28, 2010, was officially received to be a Mission Church in the Diocese of Dallas by the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, Rt. Rev. James M. Stanton. In his opening speech, the Bishop, who was consecrated the sixth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas on March 6, 1993, called all members of the Diocese to focus their minds and lives on “Kingdom, Covenant and Community.” His message called on the Diocese to live as a foretaste of the kingdom of God, remembering baptismal covenant and being bound together in community by the Lord of that covenant. Bishop Stanton’s address was a call to mission, to not focus on the members of the Diocese alone, but to love those whom Christ has called the members of the Diocese to love and serve. The Church Minister, Rev. Jacob N. Muiruri, thanked all the members of the Church for their support and prayers with special thanks to those who managed to attend and represent the Church congregation during the wonderful and blessed ceremony at Southfork Ranch.

The congregation during the The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas' 115th Annual Diocesan 2010 Convention at Southfork Ranch on Friday, October 15, 2010.

What keeps you awake at night?

No, we're not making a bawdy joke, and we're not talking about taxes either. We're talking about your behaviour and environment, and how they can conspire to deny you a good night's sleep.

Can't sleep-carrying the whole day with you!

Tips for getting it right

Here are our remedies, so you can wake the next morning fully refreshed.

Stress

You may find it difficult to switch off from daily anxieties you experience at work, at home or in your personal life. This can severely affect your ability to sleep. Make a list of tasks for the next day and keep it beside your bed - this will help you take control of them. Don't fret about past events, or about the future. Try to talk through problems with your partner or a friend. Give yourself some quiet time, and try relaxing activities like pilates or yoga.

Night cap

It may be a ritual which makes it easier to fall asleep - but it will also ensure your sleep is unsettled.

Alcohol, along with caffeine and nicotine, is a major sleep disruptor. It suppresses the production of adrenaline, which helps you fall asleep faster. However, within hours your body counteracts this effect by producing more adrenaline, which will make you wake up, or sleep poorly. Alcohol is also a diuretic, which means you may have to visit the loo overnight. In fact, even drinking six hours before bedtime can affect your sleep, so it's best to cut back to daily recommended limits, or not drink at all.

Late night snack

A late night snack may sound like a nice treat, but if you don't pick it carefully, it could undermine the quality of your sleep. Polishing off that curry - or any spicy, rich, heavy food - not only weighs you down, but as you lie down, it could cause heartburn. Likewise, you should avoid any drinks or foods that contain stimulants - alcohol we've mentioned, but you should also stay away from coffee, some types of tea, and cocoa. Now, if you do have trouble falling asleep, some foods can actually help you. For instance, camomile tea has a calming effect, which will help you fall asleep.

Your bedroom

Perhaps the key element of getting a good night's sleep is your bed. Make sure it's comfortable. Do your back a favour, and change your mattress every 10 years. If the mattress sags, put a board under it until you can afford to buy a new one. Fresh sheets and pillow cases will make getting into bed more pleasant. If the morning sun is causing you problems, invest in heavier curtains or lining, or wear an eye mask. If your partner snores, buy some soft ear plugs. Keep the room at a decent temperature, and well ventilated – not too hot in the summer or too cold in winter.

Distractions

Bedrooms should only be used only for sleeping and sex – not for working, eating or watching television. If you have a television or computer in the room, then it is time to de-clutter and move them elsewhere. You should aim to make your bedroom a dark, quiet and peaceful environment in which to rest after a hard day’s work.

Exercise

Do you get enough exercise? If not, give it a try. Regular exercise may help you fall asleep faster, and sleep more soundly. However, keep in mind that for some people, exercising before bedtime might make it more difficult to go to sleep, so time it well. Start exercising, and see what time of day works best for you.

Medications

Some medications can contain ingredients which may keep you awake at night. This is true about both prescription medications and over the counter treatments. The latter may contain alcohol or caffeine, so read the labels well. You should consult your pharmacist or your GP to ensure that what you are taking will not interfere with your sleep.

Irregular sleep patters

It is easy to cut back on your sleep during the busy work week, and plan to catch up on weekends. But this approach serves you poorly, as it will discombobulate your sleep cycle. Establish a good sleep routine by going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, even at weekends. If you don’t fall asleep soon, get up and go to another room. Sit in a comfortable chair, relax and read a book or magazine. When you feel sleepy, go back to bed again. Only sleep in bed. Try to avoid taking a nap during the day, especially in the early evening, or else you will find it difficult to sleep again at night.

Urgent warning issued against food supplement

Contains chemicals which could lead to respiratory failure

The Food Standards Authority has issued an urgent warning against the consumption of a food supplement that contains the equivalent of industrial strength bleach. The supplement, Miracle Mineral Solution, when taken as directed, could cause severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, potentially leading to dehydration and reduced blood pressure. Alarmingly, if the solution is diluted less than instructed, it could cause damage to the gut and red blood cells, potentially resulting in respiratory failure. The FSA said anyone who has used the product and is feeling unwell should see a doctor. It said those who have the product in the home should dispose of it.While local authorities have been warned the product should not be on sale, it is available on the internet. The US Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada have issued similar alerts.

5 home remedies that really work

The newspapers are full of stories about the miraculous curative powers of some herb or natural extract. We've looked at the claims made by dozens of herbs and plants, and come up with 5 whose health claims are backed by hard science. Here they are;

Ginger treats nausea

Ginger roots and powder (left) and ginger tea and dried ginger root (right)

You may know it as biscuit ingredient or the flavouring of your non-alcoholic beer, but ginger also has well known medicinal properties. Indeed, research suggests that ginger can safely relieve pregnancy related nausea and vomiting. Scientists are also looking at whether it is effective for nausea caused by motion, chemotherapy, or surgery. It is generally safe when taken in small doses.

Garlic lowers blood pressure

Left, Garlic and on the right Garlic plant

You may avoid it on your plate because of its pungent smell and its effect on your breath, but garlic has been used as a medicine for thousands of years. There is some evidence that it may slightly lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. Some studies have shown that eating garlic for 1 to 3 months can slightly lower blood cholesterol levels, though this requires further investigation. Research suggests that garlic consumption may slow the development of arteriosclerosis - the hardening of your arteries, which can lead to heart disease and stroke.

Soy lowers bad cholesterol

Soybeans(left) and Soy Products

Soy is a staple of the Asian diet and has been increasingly popular in the west. Soybeans are high in proteins and contain isoflavones, which are compounds similar to the female hormone oestrogen.

Eating soy on a daily basis has been found to lower slightly the levels of LDD - the bad cholesterol.

Scientists are also looking into whether it is effective in reducing hot flashes in women after menopause.

Peppermint oil helps irritable bowel syndrome

Peppermint oils (left anf right)

The peppermint herb is widely grown in Europe and is used to flavour foods, as well as to make tea.

It is also made into peppermint oil, which is taken in small doses to treat various conditions. Several scientific studies have found that it can be effective in improving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Other studies have found that when peppermint oil is combined with caraway oil, it may help relieve indigestion - but this evidence is preliminary. Peppermint oil offers many healing benefits. You can use peppermint oil to provide some relief without having to resort to prescription drugs.

Cranberry juice prevents urinary tract infections

Cranberry Juice (left) which helps to fight the urinary problems (right)

More than just a cocktail mixer, cranberries have been used throughout the ages to treat problems as varied as wounds, diarrhoea, urinary problems, and stomach and liver ailments.

Scientists have in recent years found evidence that drinking cranberry juice can help prevent urinary tract infections caused by bacteria such as E. coli. There is also preliminary evidence that cranberries may reduce the ability of a bacteria called H. pylori to live in the stomach, where it can cause ulcers.

Some studies also suggest that cranberries may be able to reduce dental plaque, which is a cause of gum disease.

Mother's stress may affect child's asthma

Mothers should allow time for themselves 

Mothers who are often angry or irritated or suppress their emotions can worsen their child's asthma, particularly when the children are younger, new research claims.

Mother and the child

A team of Japanese researchers tracked 223 mothers of children aged 2 to 12 to find out how a mother's stress levels, coping styles and parenting styles affected their child's asthma symptoms.

Mothers' tendencies to reject, dominate, overprotect and indulge their children were assessed by questionnaire, as were their specific kinds of chronic stress and coping styles. Over protective mothers were associated with worse asthma in children over seven years old. For those under seven years old, more severe illness was likely if their mother suppressed her emotions or was chronically irritated or angry.

Jun Nagano from the Kyushu University Institute of Health Science, Fukuoka, said that a mother's stress may be verbally or non-verbally conveyed to her child, and affect how the child's immune system reacts to allergens. He said: "Our results suggest that the mothers of younger children may be advised not to worry about falling into unfavourable parenting styles, but to pay more attention to the reduction of their own stress; and that the mothers of older children may be encouraged to increase their own wellbeing via proper egocentric and self-defensive activities, being careful to avoid too much interference with their children." The study findings are published in the journal Bio Psychosocial Medicine.

Child Benefit: Confused?

You must have picked up on the Child Benefit fiasco that's been unraveling in the news, but it doesn't mean you understand it! Here gurgle explains to you what it might mean to you!

You may have seen CHILD BENEFIT FIASCO splashed all over the news, but do you understand what the Tory government are proposing to do? Here gurgle explains to you all about what the Child Benefit plans might mean for you:

Up until now, most families in the UK received Child Benefit regardless of what they earn. Now, as proposed by George Osborne and Prime Minister David Cameron, Child benefit, as a universal payment to all, will be withdrawn for all higher-rate taxpayers from 2013.

This has sparked huge controversy as many parents say they won't be able to cope financially without their Child Benefit money. In fact many parents have said they would be better off divorced.

The main complaint seems to be that the cuts will mainly affect parents where there is only one breadwinner, compared to families where both parents work. This is because instead of means testing families, or looking at joint income, Child Benefit will be cut from households with a single higher-rate taxpayer.

Mr Cameron said today that the Government would, 'obviously listen to those suggesting that it should be looking at families' total income…' But he said this would mean introducing a means-testing system which would be 'incredibly bureaucratic and expensive, and frankly, quite intrusive.'

'Under this change, child benefit will go on being paid to the 85 per cent of people who don't pay top-rate tax, and I think that is fair and right'.

He did go on to suggest that there will be other measures put in place to help stay-at-home mums, for instance some sort of transferable tax allowance.

So what will this mean for you?

Any couple with one earner paid more than the £44,000 higher-rate tax threshold will lose their child benefit.

But, two working parents who earn just under the higher-rate tax threshold could earn £80,000 a year and keep child benefit, whilst the household with just one income of £45,000 would lose theirs.

How much is child benefit worth per year?

For one child you receive = £1,056

For two children you receive = £1,752

For three children you receive = £2,449

For four children you receive = £3,146

For five children you receive = £3,843

At the moment 7.8 million families receive child benefit in the Uk but the Government hope to save one billion with these proposed cuts. Mr Osborne also revealed the total state benefits one family can claim in future will be capped at about £26,000. This would mean that no family on welfare would be better off than a family earning an average income from working. The changes proposed by My Osbourne are planned to take place in 2013, so make the most of your current child benefit until then!

All about prostate cancer

A potentially killer disease - facts, figures and symptoms 

Prostate cancer kills 1 man every hour in the UK - so don't be one of them - know the symptoms, and then report to your doctor!

One in twelve men in the UK will develop prostate cancer - but 60% of men don't know the symptoms of this potentially killer disease.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

One of the problems with prostate cancer is that in its early stages it often does not cause any obvious symptoms. When they do occur they may include any of the following:

• Needing to rush to the loo to wee.
• Passing urine more often, daytime and/or night-time
• Slow at getting the flow or urine started
• Weaker flow of urine
• Starting and stopping whilst passing urine
• Discomfort (pain or burning) whilst peeing
• Feeling of not having emptied the bladder fully
• Dribbling after you've finished peeing
• Blood in urine or semen
• Pain or stiffness in the back, hips or pelvis

Many of these symptoms can be due to just simple enlargement of the prostate, which occurs as men get older. This is not cancer and is called Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) - 'benign' meaning non-cancerous, 'prostatic' meaning relating to the prostate, and 'hypertrophy' just means enlargement.

If you're a man over the age of 40 with any of the above symptoms, don't put it down to just getting older - tell your GP!